There are many reasons why someone might need to use donated eggs in their IVF journey. For example, women with low ovarian reserve, poor egg quality or medical treatment earlier in life which impacted their fertility might select to use donor eggs to improve their chances of becoming pregnant.
Fertility & IVF Treatments
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) treatment can help patients to start their family using either a partner or donor’s sperm. Some patients choose IUI because it’s less invasive than other treatment types, and sometimes involves less medication. It’s also quick and should cause no more discomfort than a pap test.
Prior to carrying out IUI your doctor will recommend some investigations to confirm that this treatment type is suitable for you.
In Vitro Fertilisation
(IVF)
IVF can be used to overcome a wide range of challenges that may otherwise make it difficult to conceive naturally. By combining the eggs and sperm in our laboratory we can create the optimal environment for fertilisation to occur.
Check out the 7 steps of IVF below:
1
Consultation
An initial consultation is the first step in any treatment journey. During the appointment, you will discuss your medical history with your fertility doctor, who will also tell you more about the treatment types and answer your questions.
2
Blood tests, sperm analysis and investigations
Some blood tests and investigations will be required to ensure IVF is a suitable treatment for you. These typically include a hormonal profile test, ovarian reserve test and an ultrasound scan. Similarly, a semen analysis will be conducted to confirm the quality of the sperm being used. There are lots of additional tests which our doctors can also recommend should it be appropriate, for example for those who have had unsuccessful treatment in the past. Once your test results are back, you will discuss the results with your doctor and plan the treatment.
3
Ovarian preparation
For ovarian preparation you will undergo a course of medication and monitoring which will help ensure the best possible results. During this period, you will have scans and blood tests to ensure the best possible outcome.
4
Egg collection
Having monitored your blood and scan results, your doctor will decide when the optimal time is to collect your eggs. The procedure involves collecting eggs from the woman’s ovaries using a needle that is passed through the vagina and into each ovary under ultrasound guidance and deep sedation. On the day of the egg collection, the eggs will be fertilised with sperm in the laboratory.
5
Embryo development
Once fertilised, embryos typically develop for 5 to 6 days prior to transfer or freezing. Our highly experienced embryologists are in constant contact with you during this time to update you on your embryo’s development.
6
Embryo transfer
During the embryo transfer, one or two embryos will be transferred with a thin catheter back to the uterus. The procedure is simple and takes less than 10 minutes.
There are two ways to transfer the embryo: fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Either the embryo can be transferred back to the uterus five days after the egg collection procedure, or the embryo(s) can be frozen and thawed for transfer at a later date.
There are two ways to transfer the embryo: fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Either the embryo can be transferred back to the uterus five days after the egg collection procedure, or the embryo(s) can be frozen and thawed for transfer at a later date.
7
Pregnancy test
9 days after your embryo transfer, you will take a pregnancy test which will confirm the results of your treatment. Whatever the outcome our team of doctors, embryologists, nurses and counsellors will be on hand to support you in your next steps.
Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI is a technique which involves selecting a single sperm and injecting it into the egg. It is recommended in cases of severe male infertility and where there have been cases of no fertilisation following IVF previously. The fertilised embryos are allowed to develop as in standard IVF prior to transfer, freezing or further genetic testing.
Natural IVF
Natural cycle IVF is a treatment cycle where the aim is to collect the single egg produced monthly in a patient with regular cycles, without the stimulating drugs given in a conventional IVF cycle. The risk of natural IVF is the high cancellation rate due to no embryo being available for transfer from a single egg or premature ovulation.
Egg Donation
There are many reasons why someone might need to use donated eggs in their IVF journey. For example, women with low ovarian reserve, poor egg quality or medical treatment earlier in life which impacted their fertility might select to use donor eggs to improve their chances of becoming pregnant.
Check out the stages of egg donation treatment below.
1
Consultation
An initial consultation is the first step. In this appointment you will find out about the egg donation procedure including options, selection process and costs.
2
Finding your donor
Our egg donation team will work with you to explain your options and assist in finding the right donor for you. Your chosen donor will then undergo tests, stimulation and egg collection, resulting in eggs ready for use in your IVF cycle. When the time is right these eggs will be combined with partner or donor sperm to create embryos ready for storage or transfer. Our egg donation program also has a database with frozen eggs available for immediate use.
3
Blood tests and investigations
Your doctor will recommend some tests and investigations to ensure you are ready for treatment. A semen analysis will also be conducted to confirm the quality of the sperm being used.
4
Egg collection or egg thawing and embryo development
The donor eggs will be collected and fertilised. Embryos typically develop for 5 to 6 days prior to transfer or freezing. Our embryologists are in constant contact with you during this time to update you on your embryo's development.
If frozen eggs are available, we can proceed and thaw the eggs and fertilise them before transferring them back to the uterus.
If frozen eggs are available, we can proceed and thaw the eggs and fertilise them before transferring them back to the uterus.
5
Embryo transfer
Your doctor and embryologist will advise on medications that you should take to prepare the endometrium for the embryo transfer.
There are two ways to transfer an embryo: fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Either the embryo can be transferred back to the uterus five days after the egg collection procedure, or the embryo(s) can be frozen and thawed for a transfer at a later date. The embryologist will help you to decide which embryo is the best to transfer for the highest possible chance of a healthy and successful pregnancy.
There are two ways to transfer an embryo: fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Either the embryo can be transferred back to the uterus five days after the egg collection procedure, or the embryo(s) can be frozen and thawed for a transfer at a later date. The embryologist will help you to decide which embryo is the best to transfer for the highest possible chance of a healthy and successful pregnancy.
6
Pregnancy test
9 days after your embryo transfer, you will take a pregnancy test, which will confirm the results of your treatment. Whatever the outcome, our team of doctors, embryologists, nurses and counsellors will be on hand to support you in your next steps.
Sperm Donation
Using donated sperm in the IVF process allows even more people the opportunity to start a family of their own. There are many reasons why someone might need to use donated sperm in the IVF journey. For example, because of a genetic disorder or because they are single. Our dedicated team of consultants, nurses and andrologists guide patients through the process of using donated sperm for IVF step by step, from finding the right donor to undergoing IVF itself.
Check out the stages of sperm donation treatment below.
1
Consultation
An initial consultation is the first step. In this appointment you will find out about the sperm donation procedure - options, selection process and costs.
2
Finding your donor
Our sperm donation team will work with you to explain your options and assist in finding the right donor for you. We work with accredited international sperm banks, and we ensure the selection of high-quality sperm from sperm donors of all races and ethnicities.
3
Blood tests and investigations
Your doctor will recommend some tests and investigations to ensure you are ready for treatment. These typically include a hormonal profile test, ovarian reserve test and an ultrasound scan.
4
Ovarian preparation
Most patients will undergo a course of medication and monitoring which will help ensure the best possible results. During this period, you will have scans and blood tests to ensure the best outcome.
5
Egg collection
Having monitored your blood and scan result, your doctor will decide when the optimal time is to collect your eggs. The procedure involves collecting eggs from the woman’s ovaries using a needle that is passed through the vagina and into each ovary under ultrasound guidance and deep sedation. On the day of the egg collection, the eggs will be fertilised with donor sperm in the laboratory.
6
Embryo development
Once fertilised, embryos typically develop for 5 to 6 days prior to transfer or freezing. Our highly experienced embryologists are in constant contact with you during this time to update you on your embryo's development.
7
Embryo transfer
One or two embryos can be transferred with a thin catheter back to the uterus. The procedure is simple and takes less than 10 minutes. There are two ways to transfer an embryo: fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Either the embryo can be transferred back to the uterus five days after the egg collection procedure, or the embryo(s) can be frozen and thawed for a transfer at a later date.
8
Pregnancy test
9 days after your embryo transfer you will take a pregnancy test which will confirm the results of your treatment. Whatever the outcome, our team of doctors, embryologists, nurses and counsellors will be on hand to support you in your next steps.
Fertility Preservation
Preserving your fertility involves freezing your eggs, sperm or embryos so that you can hopefully have a biological family in the future.
Egg freezing
Egg freezing is an opportunity for every woman to preserve the ability to have children later in life. Reasons to freeze your eggs:
- Women who need treatment for cancer or another treatment that may affect their ability to get pregnant
- Women faced with premature menopause
- Women who may wish to postpone childbearing
- Those undergoing IVF with religious or ethical concerns over embryo freezing
Check out the stages of egg freezing below
1
Consultation
An initial consultation is the first step in any treatment journey. During the appointment, you will discuss your medical history with your fertility doctor.
2
Blood tests, sperm analysis and investigations
Some blood tests and investigations will be required to ensure egg freezing is a suitable treatment for you. These typically include a hormonal profile test and ovarian reserve test. Once your test results are back you will discuss the results with your doctor and plan the treatment.
3
Ovarian preparation
Most patients will undergo a course of medication and monitoring which will help ensure the best possible results. During this period, you will have scans and blood tests to ensure the best outcome.
4
Egg collection
Having monitored your blood and scan results your doctor will decide when the optimal time is to collect your eggs. The procedure involves collecting eggs from the woman’s ovaries using a needle that is passed through the vagina and into each ovary under ultrasound guidance and deep sedation. On the day of the egg collection, the eggs will be frozen in the laboratory.
5
Egg freezing and storage
The egg is frozen using the latest method of freezing and safely stored in our secure storage facility for future use.
PGT Testing
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is a comprehensive test offered to couples undergoing IVF for the simultaneous detection of monogenic diseases (PGT-M), numerical abnormalities (PGT-A) and structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) in fertilised embryos at the blastocyst stage (day 5/6 stage).
Check out below.
PGT for monogenic disorders
PGT for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) is applied to prevent certain genetic diseases being inherited to the child from one or both parents which are identified to be carriers of a mutation in a single gene.
Who should undergo PGT-M
Only couples with a known genetic mutation in the family that can be inherited to their offspring should perform this testing. Examples of inherited genetic diseases that can be identified with PGT-M are Thalassemia, Cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs disease.
Who should undergo PGT-M
Only couples with a known genetic mutation in the family that can be inherited to their offspring should perform this testing. Examples of inherited genetic diseases that can be identified with PGT-M are Thalassemia, Cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs disease.
PGT for aneuploidy
PGT for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is applied to detect any chromosomal aneuploidies in the embryos which can affect the chance of a successful embryo implantation, normal pregnancy and livebirth of a healthy baby. Chromosomes are packages of genes within the cells. Extra or missing chromosomes cause chromosomal aneuploidies.
Who should undergo PGT-A
Who should undergo PGT-A
- Women of advanced age as they have higher chances of chromosomal aneuploidies due to the aging of their eggs
- Couples with recurrent miscarriages
- Couples with multiple IVF failures
- Men with severe oligozoospermia (low sperm count)
PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements
PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) is applied to detect any structural chromosomal abnormalities that most probably will not lead to a successful pregnancy. These structural abnormalities can be changes on the size or arrangement of the chromosomes which means an incorrect amount of genetic material.
Who should undergo PGT-SR
Couples who are carriers of a balanced translocation or inversion (either one or both partners).
Who should undergo PGT-SR
Couples who are carriers of a balanced translocation or inversion (either one or both partners).
Success Rates
For egg donation cycles, our outstanding success rate is 90% in combined fresh and frozen cycles.
